Portfolio Extension Interview

From the ITGS Guide

The portfolio extemsion consists of an interview undertaken to investigate as issue raised in one of the portfolio pieces. The student willbe expected to relate results of the interview to their research in the original portfolio piece. The structured interview can be conducted using a range of methodologies such as personal interview, responses by email, phone or fax. Where appropriate, students may wish to conduct more than one interview and compare the different perspectives.

Reporting the interview

• The questionnaire and summary of the interview(s) are to be contained in the Appendix
• The student determines the most appropriate format for reporting the interview (full transcripts are not necessary, fully referenced summaries and quotes to support the findings are required)

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* Interview summary must include a header with:

• The name of the person
• The position and qualifications
• Name and address of organization
• Date/place of interview

Comments from the May 06 Examiners Report

Choose your interviewee carefully!

• The primary interviewee should be a top-level stakeholder, rather than an end user
• Choosing to interview your peers is discouraged

Make sure your questions are good quality!

• Do not use simplistic and/or closed questions (eg “yes”, “no” answers)
• You need to produce sufficient thoughts or ideas that are the material of good reports

Number of interviews used

• A minimum of one interview is required
• Interviewees with contrasting views are more likely to give sufficient material to produce a good analysis and opportunities for good ideas
• A follow up interview is also recommended

Interview should be pilot tested beforehand (perhaps with a peer) to check that the questions are logical, non-repetitive and elicit useful responses

Conducting Interviews

Practical advice

• Pace the interview: use a small clock or watch on the table and refer to it inconspicuously
• Develop rapport with the interviewee: use a firm handshake, be an active llistener, establish good eye contact, talk in a pleasant voice
• Use small talk to begin but do not get sidetracked from your purpose
• Do not talk too much....allow the interviewee to do the talking
• The opening of the interview has three goals: to make the interviewee feel welcome and relaxed; to provide the interviewee with a sense of purpose; to preview some of the major topics to be covered
• The interview is about the interviewee, not about you
• Don't rely on your memory: ask if you can record the interview. make sure the recording device is working first!

The interview

• Introduce yourself
• Explain the purpose of the interview and why you selected the interviewee
• Indicate how long you expect the interview to take
• Discuss confidentiality and how the information will be used
• List the topics to be discussed in the order you plan to discuss them
• For each topic list primary questions and potential follow-up questions
• Be sure the topics are in a logical order
• Ask the interviewee if there are any questions

Conclusion

• Let the interviewee know the interview is coming to a close
• Summarize the main points
• Ask for any additional information if there is time

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* Ask if there are any questions

• Thank the interviewee
• Provide information such as email address so you can be contacted if necessary

Questions

• Questions should be open-ended to allow the interviewee to choose the answers
• Keep questions neutral so you don't influence the answer
• Don't react to responses - don't appear surprised
• Keep questions clear
• Move smoothly between topics - 'having covered......I would like to move on to......'
• Try and keep the interviewee on track
• Primary questions: introduce a new topic; Probing questions: are intended to elicit elaboration

Specific Comments on each Section

(based on examiners report May 2006)

Specific Comments on each Criterion
*INTRODUCTION
You are to provide a brief introduction to the extension. This should briefly state the issue and the stakeholders (as identified in criterion C), including the interviewee(s). This should be no more than 100 words. Bullet points can be used. The introduction is excluded from the word count.

1. Criterion N: Discussion and analysis of the interview

· Much better material was produced from those who conducted two or more interviews
· You must analyse, not just state what was said
· Those who did follow up interviews also produced better work
· Must be based on a very well created questionnaire for the interview

1. Criterion O: Refection on the interview

· Reflection MUST be evident
· Relate your interview findings to the original research
· You must compare the interviewee’s comments and the findings from the original research: Where did they agree? Where did they differ?
· Examples need to be shown from each source to support the reflection. For example “Mrs Karim felt that her customers understood the security precautions they need to take to endure their own privacy. This contrasted sharply with the original research (Somerville, 2004), where a survey showed that 87% of a bank’s customers had no idea that their data was at risk.”
· Describe a new relationship that has not been explicitly mentioned in the original research and/or the interview e.g improvements installed by a banking organization

1. Criterion P: Projection of broader implications from the interview and portfolio research

· Do not summarise what has already been said!
· Do not discuss generalities loosely connected to the issue without any supporting link
· You must give your own opinion, linked explicitly to the interview and the original secondary research, concerning the implications for the future surrounding this issue
o Could be a rethink about the relative importance of issues/impacts originally discussed
o Could be a discussion of the collateral effects of suggested solutions that had not been foreseen
o You opinions must be grounded securely with evidence collected, preferably in both primary and secondary research or at least one of these.

1. Criterion Q: Interview process

· Choice of interviewee is crucial
· Must have in-depth questions
· Must include a header to all for the interview transcript as follows:
o The name of the person
o Their position and qualifications
o Name and address of organization
o Date/place of interview

1. Criterion R: Quality of communication

· Separate your report with criterion subheadings
· Aim for coherence and clarity!